I try not to flinch at the accusation in his voice. This is exactly my point. When he sees me, he sees Ivor. Just like the mainland healers when my mother had spilled gold at their feet and begged them to heal her. They’d jailed her instead, and she died.
Ivor is a blight. And being connected to him means no one will look past the rot of his blood in my veins.
“I told you exactly what he did,” I say, shoving the thoughts away. “He said he’d find a way to tell Ivor you harbored me. None of you would have stood a chance if he found us.” I laugh, but it’s bitter. “I gave him so many chances. So manywarnings. I put him down, but he kept getting back up—”
“Enough—”
“No it’s notenough,Rune.” My legs bounce, bursting with potential energy, but the ropes won’t let me stand. “You’ll feed yourself to Ivor anyway.”
Rune is a thundercloud, his body tense, his expression darker than I’ve ever seen it. “Tell me he doesn’t deserve to die.”
Another dry swallow. I can’t explain the pinch in my chest. “It doesn't matter.You can’t win.”
A hint of that cocky smirk ghosts over his face, sending unexpected warmth barrelling into my chest. “You underestimate me.”
I deflate beneath the crush of emotion. I can’t convince him. He’s already made up his mind.
“Odi.” The name is softer than it should be. “Have some faith. I’ve got more than just my own crew at my disposal, if I need it. No more needless sacrifices.”
The idea lifts my spirit, but the worry still swirls in my gut. “Fine,” I say.
“Fine.”
For a moment, the only sound is the dull rush of ocean water and the slow creak of the ship. “Remind me again why you’ve graced me with your presence?”
His unfocused eyes train back on me. “To discuss our arrangement moving forwards.”
I pull up my tied wrists and go on in mock cheer. “Back to pseudo-brig, right? Me. Rope. No water? Discussion had. On to the key and our separate ways.”
“Tavi is pissed.”
The words halt the stream of sarcasm. “Good.” Any self-respecting bounty hunter would be, I suppose.
He huffs a laugh. “No, not good. Not good for you. Not good for me. She’s placated for now, but I need you to promise me if she gets in your face you won’t strike first. I can’t imagine either of you would walk away.”
“You underestimate me,” I mock. “I’m not going to hurt Tavi. IlikeTavi.”Another ache pinches in my chest.
I have to get out of here. I have to get off this ship, away from them. I can’t afford the feelings that put me at a disadvantage. I’m honestly not sure I could draw a blade on her if I wanted to.
“What about Otto?” I clench my teeth, shocked the question had made it out without conscious thought. Otto has every reason to hate me, to blame me, but . . .
Some of the darkness leaves his eyes. “Otto is . . . Otto.” One side of his mouth lifts, sending butterflies to my traitorous stomach and tears once again well to my eyes. I’ve never allowed this level of emotion before, and I hate how powerless it makes me feel. “He sent up two plates of vegetables. I thought you hadn’t told him yet.”
“Otto is twice the man I’ll ever be. But he isn’t into holding grudges. I think he thinks he knows you too well.” For a moment, he studies me curiously, like he wants to ask something but won’t.
Any anger that made a home in me is extinguished, swallowed by the tide of emptiness that always follows. I know he can see the void in me, but my mouth works independently of my brain, asking before fear of the answer might stop me. “What about you?”
The silence that stretches between us could rival the bottom of the sea.
I watch him tuck his feelings away, my heart sinking deeper and deeper. His face turns to stone over his slate-grey shirt. His broad shoulders solidify. “We’re headed for the last island. If you betray me, or turn on anyone on this crew in any way, I won’t be held responsible for what happens next. We get thetreasure. You pick an island for us to drop you on. After that, your plans are none of my business. And mine aren’t yours.”
The rope around my wrists is soft, fraying slightly. I keep my eyes glued there, unable to bring myself to look at him. “Thank you.” The words don’t taste foreign now, but the ache in my chest makes the realisation a bitter one.
Rune stays a moment longer, the air between us charged with things unsaid. Eventually, he moves, the thud of his boots too loud as he goes.
When the door slams I flinch, then let myself fall back on the bed as the lock clicks closed.
Idon’t count the days that pass. The light through the round window brightens and dulls in warm hues, pink, then orange, then yellow, darkening and lightening as the sun makes its rounds. Over and over I beg my body to let me fall into slumber, and for the most part, it does. I pass the rest of the time trying not to think, but for some reason it only brings the animal side of me forward. I retreat, and she’s there, alert even when I’m in a haze. I don’t shift, I think, but sometimes I wake to antlers on my head all the same.
